Are there other people here who are looking for land?

stevecook172001 · Coal Joined: Mar 07, 2008 Posts: 8

Hello. I am new to this forum. However, I am fully educated in the area of peak energy and know full well the implications in the coming decades. Of particular concern is food production.

I have recently sold my house and have put the money to one side for the purpose of buying arable land. I live in the UK where land is horrendously expensive. There is a short term possibility that arable land prices could fall along with the rest of real estate in the current economic crisis. However, as I am sure you will have discussed many times, in the long run the only commodity that will have any value is land. When the markets have their "Eureka" moment in this regard, land will go to the moon in terms of price and will from then on be forever out of the reach of all but the most wealthy (whatever "wealthy" means in twenty year's time).

I have looked at land in Europe. Particularly Normandy in France. The land there is good quality and is very cheap compared to the UK. Also, it is definitely going down in price since Christmas because of the global economic crisis. However, as with all things, the more you buy at any one time, the cheaper per unit of land it is. For this reason, I wish to propose the following.

Anyone considering buying land for the same reason who would like to discuss further the possibility of pooling financial resources to make a large purchase then please do make yourself known on this thread. Obviously, the specifics of such a purchase would need to be ironed out beforehand. I am kind of thinking along the lines of finding a plot, negotiating who wants what portion based upon the sie of their investment/quality of the land etc. Only at that point does an offer get put in to the seller. If accepted, the land purchase is then handled by the necessary lawyers who immediately split ownership of the separate plots prior to completion of the sale Thus, at the point of sale each person can be sure of fully and independantly owning their own section.

I should say, I am fully open to suggestions as to any location you might want o suggest.

The advantage of the above is twofold

* Firstly, as mentioned earlier, there is the economy of scale when purchasing larger sections.
* Secondly, it would be good to have as each others neighbours, people who are thinking along the same lines.

That's it really folks.

Anybody interested in discussing it?

Steve Cook

Oil-Finder

Western North Dakota - especially northwestern North Dakota. For the following reasons:

1) Agricultural potential (wheat, other grains).
2) Lots of oil.
3) Lots of oil drilling.
4) Lots of wind power potential.

But if you take my advice, beware: This area is already well in the process of being "discovered" for the above reasons, and prices are already probably pretty high. Also, it gets really cold there in the winter. Smile

Pops

Hi, Steve,
Post your question in the Europe Discussion forum here:
http://www.peakoil.com/forum38.html
and keep posting there to keep it up near the top.

Good luck.
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Ryno

Steve, yes, we peak oilers certainly appreciate land for what it is - the valuable resource that is necessary for any semblance of normalcy in the trying years that come.

I live in South Carolina in the Southeast US. My wife and I have been fortunate to amass some land bought and some inherited. My wife's family is like minded and we've taken one 53 acre tract (21 hectares) and devoted it to a sustainable future for the family, come hell or high water. Her grandfather and uncle grew apples (still do), and we have a very large garden, pasture, forest, and a small cabin just built.

Additionally, I purchased some years ago, a tract of 76 acres (30 hectares) in an area about 35 km from where I live. It has a natural water source and was once an active farm. Currently it is mostly wooded, although last year I cleared a portion nearest the road. It is in a rural area, but about 15 to 20 km from a major university. I've sold off about 1/3 of this land, and would be willing to sell the rest. I've divided the remainder into 3 pieces of approximately 18-22 acres each (7 to 9 hectares). $110k to $140k is about the price range for the parcels. Given the current exchange rate for our British friends, I'd guess that's pretty affordable by European standards. Land is still more or less plentiful in North America, although getting to be less so as recources become scarcer. Steve, ctc. me privately if you want to discuss more. I like your idea of pooling resources, too.

anagami

Does the value of land come from the space it ocuppies or from the potential to produce food in it? Go for whatever land that can be useful for producing food and that you can afford. The idea of dividing a property between peakoilers is a good one.
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misterno

Ted Turner is the biggest investor in land in USA. He keeps buying all the time and people were wondering why.

Now they understand.

stevecook172001 · Coal Joined: Mar 07, 2008 Posts: 8

Hello again folks. I am delighted to hear from you and am deeply heartened to find I am not alone. I really do need to thank you for that...

I am very pushed with work right at this moment and had only just passed by to see if there were any replies to my post. I promise to get back soon (the next day or so) where I will respond in detail to the contributions to this thread.

Once again, thank you....

Steve

kpeavey · Expert Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 1236

I'm mostly looking at northern Florida, and downeast Maine, but I'm open minded.
I'm in for 5-10 acres.

Requirements and/or favorable attributes:
-favorable climate forecasts for the next couple of decades
-surface water
-ground water
-renewable energy sources, especially firewood and solar
-land suitable or alterable for organic crops
-low population density
-few strategic targets within 50 miles, none within 25 miles
-political stability, at least for now, not expected anywhere for too long
-lots of babes is a plus
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-George Orwell, 1984

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sciencegirl · Heavy Crude Joined: Jul 17, 2006 Posts: 298

Here is what $35000 will get you in Saskatchewan

http://www.mls.ca/PropertyDetails.aspx?vd=&SearchURL=%3fPage%3d2%26Mode%3d0%26vs%3dAgricultural%26ret%3d302%26sts%3d0-0%26beds%3d0-0%26baths%3d0-0%26aid%3d1055%26MapURL%3d%253fAreaID%253d1055%26mp%3d0-50000-0%26mrt%3d0-0-4%26trt%3d2%26of%3d1%26ps%3d10%26o%3dA%26lsu%3d7&Mode=0&PropertyID=6121429

But you can still buy a small acreage for under $10,000
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Chesire · Heavy Crude Joined: Jul 13, 2007 Posts: 267

kpeavey · Expert Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 1236

Saskatchewan goes on my short list.
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If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever."
-George Orwell, 1984

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Accept the Facts.

szhjte · Coal Joined: Nov 26, 2007 Posts: 2

Hi Steve
We're also looking for land but near or in Switzerland. Currently looking at French Jura and Vosges area of France as we are tied to Switzerland. Looking for around 10h with farm, barns, forest,running water and plan to do permaculture and set up an education farm and eco community. Prices range from around 250'000 euros and up.
cheers
Steve

timmac · Heavy Crude Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Posts: 177

Any one here from Northern Nevada, I am looking for some land in this area, what is good and what is not for growing food, water, etc, I like to stay in Nevada because of its no state tax and less laws, thinking of Elko area..

Ludi

"The annual average precipitation at Elko is 9.59 Inches."

http://www.idcide.com/weather/nv/elko.htm

It is extremely difficult to grow food under such conditions of low rainfall. You would need some reliable source of year-round water and a method of delivering the water for irrigation. This could be expensive and difficult depending on the technology needed.

Unless you need to stay in Nevada for family or other attachments, I recommend looking farther east.
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timmac · Heavy Crude Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Posts: 177

The annual average precipitation at Elko is 9.59 Inches."

Yes I do know this area does get little rain, but was going to use ground water for the garden, solar well pump will be the low cost, I used to live in Iowa [19 years], colorado [2 years], california [4 years], now southern Nevada [21 years], Nevada has some of the lowest taxes around, no state tax out of your check, lowest corp tax, low property tax, less laws, most long term Nevadans dont want change, still old west ideas here, less goverment, etc, etc, its hard to give this up and move where they take more of your $$$ and control your life more,, Still hope some one that lives in this area elko-ely and can give some great areas and ideas...Reno area is ok to but not to close...